Spinell signs with Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed defenseman Steve Spinell to a one-year contract.

Spinell, 24, picked up five points (1-4—5) and 59 penalty minutes in 52 regular season games with the Hartford Wolf Pack last season and notched one goal in three games with the club during the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Vernon Hills, Ill., native also logged six games with the ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors during the 2014-15 campaign, tallying two points (1-1—2) and 13 PIM.

As a rookie in 2013-14, Spinell enjoyed a seven-game stint with the Providence Bruins but spent a majority of his campaign with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, where he recorded nine points (1-8—9) and 108 PIM in 58 games. In all, the 6-foot-2, 216-pound defenseman has compiled 16 points (3-13—16), 182 PIM and a plus-four rating in 123 games between the AHL and ECHL in his two seasons as a pro.

Prior to joining the professional ranks, Spinell spent four seasons at Miami University from 2009-13, collecting 36 points (4-32—36) and 234 PIM in 149 collegiate games. During his senior year, he captained the RedHawks to the CCHA regular season championship and was named to the NCAA Lowes Senior Class All-Americans First Team. Throughout parts of his four-year career at Miami, Spinell was a teammate of current Griffins Andy Miele (2009-11) and Alden Hirschfeld (2009-12).